Corporate table football tournament: how to organise one

Few things break the ice in an office like a game of table football. That is why a corporate table football tournament is one of the easiest activities to pitch internally: everybody knows the rules, no sporting skill is needed and the games are so short that nobody gets bored waiting for their turn.

This guide walks you through it step by step: which table football model to choose, which competition format to use, how much space to book and how to give it a branded look. If you just want to see the models available, head straight to our table football for events.

Why table football works so well as a corporate tournament

Table football combines three advantages that few games have. It is competitive without demanding physical fitness, so the finance director and the newest recruit play on equal terms. It is played in pairs, which mixes departments and sparks conversations between people who rarely cross paths. And it is great to watch: a little crowd gathers around every table to cheer, comment on each move and take photos.

It also fits many moments in the company calendar: a team building day, the end-of-year party, a family day or the break area at a conference. A tournament gives the game a storyline, because there is a bracket, a final and a champion who will be talked about in the office for weeks.

Which table football to choose for your group size

The first decision is how many people will take part and what atmosphere you want to create. With our catalogue you can cover anything from a small group to several hundred guests, and it is common to combine two different models so the tournament has a stage of smaller tables and a big final.

Here are the three main options and what each one is best for.

Bar-style table football for knockout rounds

The Córdoba (Catalan) table football is the classic bar table: wooden cabinet, a 1,397 × 780 mm playing field and the feel everybody recognises. People start playing without any explanation, and with several tables running at once you can play many first-round matches at the same time.

Giant table football for inter-department tournaments

The giant table football measures 8 × 5 m and lets up to sixteen people play at once, eight per team, with a giant digital scoreboard. It is the best choice for a final in front of an audience or to pit whole departments against each other: the team cheers loudly and the activity can be seen from all over the venue.

Human table football for outdoor days

The human table football is a 9 × 5 m inflatable pitch with bars that the players hold on to, five per team, who can only move sideways like the figures on a table football game. It works very well on outdoor company days and family days.

Tournament formats: knockout, league or mixed

The format depends on how many people sign up and how much time you have. The key is that everybody plays more than one match: nobody wants to travel to an event just to spend three minutes at the table.

• Straight knockout: the easiest to explain and the most exciting, but whoever loses in the first round does not play again.
• Group league plus final stage: pairs are split into groups, everybody plays everybody and the best go through to a knockout stage. It guarantees several matches per person.
• Mixed format: an initial league round to warm up and a final bracket with semi-finals and a final on the most eye-catching table.

To keep the tournament from dragging on, set the limit of each match in advance, for example a number of goals, and keep a slightly longer match for the final. Write the pairings on a visible bracket, on a board or a screen, so participants know when they are up.

Space, set-up and organisation on the day

Work out the space for each table by adding the playing field and a margin around it for the players and for the spectators who come to watch. For the giant or the human table football, it is worth measuring the available space and the access route in advance, and letting us know about any restriction at the venue so we can confirm the installation.

Two things make a difference: place the tables in a busy area, where they can be seen from the rest of the event, and leave a rest point with chairs and drinks nearby, because the audience at a tournament tends to stay and watch.

Appoint someone from your team as the tournament manager: they note down results, call the next pairs and settle any doubts. The clearer that role is, the less dead time there will be between rounds.

Other head-to-head games to round out the tournament

If your event is large, you can widen the format with other quick duels that keep people busy while they wait. The Subsoccer table offers one-on-one football played with the feet, with two-minute matches and a modern look that suits stands and break areas very well.

The air hockey table offers three-minute matches between two players, with an air cushion and an electronic scoreboard, and it usually ends in a rematch. Both work as parallel mini tournaments with their own champion.

Brand the tournament with your company identity

A tournament is a good place for your brand to be present without being pushy. We can adapt the game to your corporate identity: vinyl with your logo, company colours, screens showing the tournament bracket and uniforms for the staff. You can see all the options on our page about custom branded games.

You can also prepare prizes that make sense: a trophy for the winning pair, tournament T-shirts or a branded gift. And if the tournament is part of an activation open to the public, it is a natural way to collect participants’ details when they sign up.

Frequently asked questions about the table football tournament

How many people can take part?

It depends on the number of tables and the format. With several tables at once and a well-planned bracket, the tournament scales from a small group to an entire workforce.

How long does a tournament last?

It can be adjusted to a long break or a whole afternoon. What weighs most is the number of pairs, the limit of each match and the tables available.

Do you need to know how to play?

No. The rules are well known and the short matches mean skill matters less than atmosphere. In fact, the best tournaments mix experienced players and beginners.

How much does it cost to rent a table football for a tournament?

The cost depends on the model, the number of tables, the set-up and the branding. Tell us about your event and we will prepare a tailored quote.

Can you bring it to any city?

We work all over Spain, mainly in Barcelona and Madrid. Tell us where your event is and we will check the logistics.

Plan your tournament with us

If you want to run a table football tournament at your next corporate event, get in touch and we will prepare a quote with the model, the number of tables and the branding that best suit your group.